Museums hit as staff strike over pay freeze dispute

SOME of Scotland's busiest museums and galleries were forced to close yesterday as workers walked out on strike over pay and conditions.

The Burrell Collection and Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow were among those affected. All libraries, museums and community centres run by Culture and Sport Glasgow were shut, as were many sports facilities.

About 1,600 members of the Unison, Unite, GMB and Bectu unions are involved in the industrial action against the organisation's attempt to freeze pay and cut overtime payments.

Yesterday's strike follows a walkout by union members last week that saw museums, galleries and sport and leisure facilities close across the city.

Brian Smith, Unison's Glasgow branch secretary,

said: "We've had very strong participation by the members across the four unions, so we are pleased the members have turned out.

"The intention of the strike is to shut down Culture and Sport Glasgow."

Mr Smith said the union would meet again on Wednesday to decide whether to take further action.

Culture and Sport Glasgow is a charity which runs sport and leisure services for the city.

A spokesman said the organisation would try to minimise disruption caused by the action.